Europe distracts Hodgson

Fulham manager Roy Hodgson has admitted that he is being distracted by his side's upcoming Europa League semi-final against German club Hamburg.

The Cottagers have enjoyed a dream run in Europe, knocking out the likes of Shakhtar Donetsk, Juventus and Wolfsburg on their way to the last four, leaving Hodgson to juggle his resources for the final few games of the Premier League season.

He commented:"It would be nice to say that I have only thought about Wolves and that we haven't thought about Hamburg.

"But if I said that it wouldn't be accepted, because anybody in their right minds would know that the semi-final of a Europa League is a massive occasion for any club, let alone a club like Fulham.

"As a club we haven't had any European experience, so of course we have it in the back of our minds.

"There were several hundred teams who entered the Europa League at the start of the campaign and we are happy to be one of the final four.

"We realise that we are in touching distance of such a major trophy and I'm sure that the two matches we play we will give our utmost to get there."